Injured bird is ducking help

THE cruel release of an arrow has caused headaches for Grafton WIRES volunteers and unwarranted pain to a protected native animal – a humble wood duck.

While the archer could face a $3300 fine and/or six months jail, the duck appears to have taken the arrow in its stride. It has been evading attempts to catch it since Monday morning.

Every time its would-be captors get anywhere near it, it simply flies off for another piece of riverbank.

Blackwood Close resident Barry Godwin first came across the duck on the riverside of his home about 7.30am on Monday. He took a photo of the duck, tried to catch it, but failed and alerted The Daily Examiner, whichinformed a WIRES representative.

However, other volunteers were already on the case and repeated attempts to catch the duck were made on Monday evening in the old bowling club area of Grafton.

Another WIRES volunteer, Pam Kenway, attempted to catch the duck with a net yesterday afternoon – just before the above photo was taken – but again the duck’s power of flight proved too much.

“It can’t survive too long like that, it’s going to get caught on something,” Pam said.

Yet another WIRES volunteer rang The Daily Examiner a bit later to explain yet another attempt involving an SES/WIRES volunteer using a boat to guide the duck to capture.